With the economy still in the depths of despair, the Photography Club at Walpole High School is cutting back on its costs by using the frugal and effective pin-hole camera for their winter photo shoot.

Pinhole cameras are used commonly for everyday picture taking made from household items, and its availability makes it a favorite for crafts, projects, and photo shoots. They are mainly composed of a light-proof container of any make or model which can effectively withhold light from the inside. A small hole punctured through the can provides the light from which the film can be exposed and the picture can be taken (thus the name -pin-hole camera.

Photography Club got the idea of pin-hole cameras from junior Anne

Almeida, a member of Photo Club, who suggested that these cameras would be an exciting project, and that they could be used for an indoor photo shoot. With that prospective in mind, four year president and founder Ms. Mckenzie Gould put the students to work designing their own pin-hole cameras out of large Quaker Oats cans and round cookie containers.

When asked about the shoot, Ms. Gould held up the lone picture that survived development, and said that taking the pictures was a new and interesting experience for everyone. She said that the students really enjoyed the change from usual picture taking because “They had never experienced working in the dark room before with a digital camera, which can show you the picture you’ve just taken.”

Coming off this successful project, Photography Club is gearing up for its annual spring trip to Boston, which may sadly be its last. Due to economic cutbacks and budget deficit, the club’s survival next year is still uncertain, but Ms. Gould hopes that the club will continue to stimulate Walpole High School’s photogenic natures in years to come, and the outlook looks good.